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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

DEMOPOLIS – Fresh off a 20-point area win over Jemison just 24 hours prior, the Montevallo Bulldogs replicated that feat on the road against the Demopolis Tigers to double up on area wins for the week.

Montevallo defeated Demopolis 62-42 on Friday, Jan. 17 at Demopolis High School to sweep the regular season series between the new area foes.

As a result, the Bulldogs improved to 3-2 in area play, tightening their grip on the No. 2 seed behind only Selma, which is 4-0. Both teams will play Jemison in their final area games, with the Saints set to play the Panthers twice and Montevallo set for one last game on Thursday, Jan. 23.

After a 31-point night on Thursday, Dee Cutts started Friday night strong with seven points in the first quarter. Keiston Ross also hit multiple baskets as the Bulldogs scored 15 points in the opening period.

Montevallo took a 15-8 lead into the second quarter and only built off it from there.

After holding the Tigers to just eight points for the second-straight quarter, the Bulldogs offense ramped up the pressure even more.

After scoring two points in the first quarter, Buck Ross erupted for nine points in the second. Cutts hit a 3-pointer to join him in double figures for the first half. Brannon Hudson also dropped four points in the second quarter to give Montevallo a 34-16 halftime advantage.

Demopolis’ defense put together an improved performance in the third quarter, limiting the Bulldogs to 10 points in the third. However, Buck Ross continued his strong night by scoring five of those 10 points.

Montevallo outscored the Tigers 10-9 in the third quarter to extend its lead ever so slightly to 44-25.

That double-digit lead continued to help the Bulldogs hold off Demopolis as the Tigers found more of an offensive rhythm in the fourth. Montevallo continued scoring on its own offensive end as Cutts scored six points, Buck Ross added four points and six Bulldogs scored in the final eight minutes.

In the end, Montevallo secured a 20-point victory for the second-straight night to continue its strong run through area play in its first season in Class 5A.

Buck Ross led all scorers with a game-high 20 points, and Cutts was closely behind him with 18 points. Keiston Ross scored nine points, Nahjear Russell posted seven points and Hudson finished with four points in the win.

Ahead of their next area game on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Jemison High School, the 13-10 Bulldogs will battle the Jefferson Christian Eagles for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day matinee on Monday, Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Montevallo High School.